Today was the last day of walking. We headed back from Chumua to Lukla where we started. It was a 8km walk but felt like it too forever. Maybe because we were so nearly home. My legs were starting to give up because there were so many uphills. It was so hard. We past more and more people the lower we got. We past some children who live along the path. One around the age of 3 or 4 was ‘playing in the front garden breaking up rocks with a hammer.

We meat a man on the path who had made it all the way to Camp 4 on Everest and was on his way back. He sprung up the hill faster than any of us. After nearly 7hrs we made it. It was such a relief. All of us were fine and happy to have made it there and back in one piece – and to take off our really smelly boots!
We met back up with Rob who had made it back from Kala Patthar to Lukla in 26hrs with one of the guides Krishner. No one had ever heard of this being done before. Everyone celebrated in different ways…some with Starbucks (available in Lukla) some with cake or a samosa… I just wanted a drink. We headed out for a few pints of Everest and some cocktails. We didn’t even care that it was still light. We couldn’t stop smiling and danced the night away. It was so great to all be together. I can’t believe I had only met some of these people a couple of weeks ago. As the night ticked on our thoughts were all turning to the next adventure, the next country, the next challenge or mountain.

Today was a hellish day. We got up at 3.30am to go to the top of Kala Patthar which is 5500 metres and only has 50 % oxygen. This is higher than Everest Base Camp. We all set off in the dark with our head torches on. It was so hard getting out of the most comfortable bed we had had so far and then when we got outside it almost felt claustrophobic because we could only see where the light was shining in the path.

We walked for about 45 minutes through the cold and cloud when our guide Dawa said the weather was too bad to see Everest or the sun rise so we would only be trekking for the height. Jemma, Jenny and I were only going for the view, so he told us we could go back if we wanted. We turned around with one of the guides Krishna and headed back to bed. Krishna forgot his key so ran back to the group and back again. We got back to the house and I climbed back into bed. I had just shut my eyes when there was a frantic knock at the door. It was Bebek. He said the weather had cleared up and we should go back. So we did!

We left again at around 5.30am and managed to drag ourselves up there. My legs felt like lead and it was like trying to breathe through a straw. Amazingly, I made it up there last but only around 15 minutes behind those that left at 4am.

The view was amazing. You could see Everest and right across the valley. I would totally recommend it even though it is a bit of a battle.

By the time we got back to the Tea House it was 8am and I was all out of energy even though we now had 6 hours walking down towards Luklar to do. Every part of me hurt, especially my knees. Our guide Dawa literally dragged me along. Will gave me the mantra F.I.D.O. (from the Marines) which means “Fight It, Drive On.” All I knew was that I just had to keep going so I could find a bed to sleep. We were heading to Pheruche which is at 4270 metres and at least had more oxygen at 57%

We lost one of our team today. Rob had an emergency and managed our 6 hour trek with Krishna in just 2 hours. He then headed straight to Lukla. The group hasn’t been the same without him and really miss him cheering us all up and being daft.

Towards the end of the day the clouds came rolling in and it felt like we were walking right through them. The landscape also started to look more like Scotland than Nepal as the wind whipped around the valley.

I got a massive blister on my little toe from all the downhill walking which is starting to feel more difficult than uphill. This can’t compare to the porters I saw today carrying so many planks of wood uphill. I don’t know how they manage. Some of them look so young.

You will be pleased to know that I had another shower today. Whoop whoop! It was freezing cold though after and I had to sleep with all my clothes on!

About My Blog

This is my personal blog. What you'll find here is a collection of my random thoughts, activities and musings. Please feel free to comment on any enjoyable or unenjoyable posts to keep me from being lonely.